So, as I've mentioned last year we bought this '53 Merc Monterey. This was the first season we've really got to cruise in it much and I've discovered something else that's going to be an issue. The original builder of the car swapped out the original flat head for a 351. And according to the guy I bought it from (he didn't build it) he "removed one coil from the front springs" to lower it. Well, it's too damn low for normal, typical family cruising. It grounds out way too easy, even getting in and out of my alley and driveway takes careful slow motion moving, and dips in road crossings, etc often result in **** jarring banging. This car still has the original steering, suspension, etc (but a disc brake conversion). Can I simply get a set of stock springs and have my shop switch 'em? I guess my main question is how does the weight of the 351/trans compare to the stock flathead? I don't much care for the super low stance anyway -- and it's got 14" tires on front, 15" on back, and the fronts rub when I turn tight into the driveway. Not suitable. I'm not equipped to do the spring/suspension work myself. But I've got a local shop where the owner is used to working on vintage stuff and he's an old timer who knows his stuff. Seem reasonable to just swap back to stock front springs?
Well, first off cutting one full coil is a LOT, so no wonder it's too low. Cutting 1/2 coil should have been plenty.... It also depends on how you cut them; using a torch will put too much heat into them and they'll sag after cutting, if you cut them it's best to use a cut-off wheel. I know a lot of guys are using Ford Aerostar van springs for lowering with good results on the '54-56 cars, maybe somebody will chime in if they'll work on the '52-53 cars. As far as engine weight, the 351 is about 50 lbs lighter than the OEM flathead, and I suspect the trans weight is roughly a wash, so that shouldn't be a contributing factor.
I took 1 coil out of my '59 Ford fronts and it sits nicely, rate went from 414 to 495 lbs. Maybe the springs were cut before or are worn out? Also some disc brake conversions shoot the wheel out towards the fender 5/8" or more. I'm not sold on the Aerostars either, they were way too short for my car, but the stance was great.
Yeah, post pics and of the front suspension if possible. The "removed one coil" should be taken lightly. It's second hand info. From the sounds of the jarring/bottoming ride, I suspect more than one coil was removed or the old springs were heat dropped with a torch. Or it also has dropped A arm pockets or dropped uprights. You may put new springs in and find it raises the front a few inches, leaving it too high. Have you had your mechanic put it on a lift and evaluate it?
We have had guys in the 1952-59 Ford Group that thought the Aerostars were too low to suit them and swapped to these: https://www.jegs.com/i/Moog/719/CC851/10002/-1 Since these are a progressive rate spring you should find an improvement in ride and handling in your Merc.
I was the one who found the CC851 springs, they have a softer rate and are a little longer than the CC850. Here is a comparison, always measure up what you have in the car first!
This explains the ends SG and TG. The TG end usually goes up into the spring pocket, SG end at the arm, again, match up what you have.
Did the CC851's increase the ride height ? And did you notice a difference in ride quality? Asking this so as to help the O.P. make a choice.
I never bought them, I have a set of CC850s I took out of the car. I may toss those back in with a spacer. The OG springs, I cut 1 coil out of them and I like the height and ride. But the CC851 would be a vast improvement. Somewhere on a Moog chart there are springs that are close to the CC851 and match what my car came with.
This is a lot of good information for someone like me who knows little about springs! I'll try to attached a photo (never done that before). And no, the shop hasn't had a look under the car, but I'm sure I can have him check it out and also get some photos of the front suspension. The car doesn't look all that low in this photo, but the car sure doesn't like to take any bumps or dips in the road. To be honest, I prefer closer to stock height.
Well a cut spring and 14 inch wheels will give you some trouble for sure. But that being said your car isn’t that low going by the picture. My 51 merc is way lower than that with 15 inch on the front and rears did Aerostar springs in front I don’t drag you may have a shock problem in front. Shock not the right size up down movement or just worn out. Just sayin that car ain’t low.
I agree. It doesn't look extremely low to me but it sure drives like it's low. It drives great on smooth flat roads, but a dip in a road, say at an intersection, or getting up the apron into my alley, etc and it's bottoming out in the front. Now, I'm a long way from an expert in these things. I've spent decades fixing up old cars, but this is the first we've had that's modified from stock, so I can't just look up the right answers! Personally, I prefer a taller closer to stock height car. I know it's got front discs and my son (who is younger and more flexible, LOL) had a look and says it looks like the stock king pin suspension to him. I'll get a better look and take some pics. Perhaps the rubbing I hear when turning into my driveway is because these tires are wider than stock?
photo is stock 56's vs Aerostars. as you can see Aeros are thicker metal diameter. you can adjust/level the Aeros with urethane spacers. the springs have the same inner/outer diameter as some toyota pickups. I bought mine thru Summit, as much as 1/2". they go on the top. my rake is just right with stock rears. no problem with driveways or dips. my ford has a "rake" and not a "stance" ( **** word)
Tim again i have wide tires on the front of my 51 merc no rubbing i think look at shocks first. If they are proper size and not bottoming out then put a spacer in the springs and lift it a bit. 351 weighed approx 550 lbs 255 merc motor about 580 lbs
Have your mechanic take a look, hard to tell, but it sounds like your spring may have been torch heated to drop. You can try an aerostar spring, lowered height with proper spring rate. If you throw stockers in there you may get a tail dragger. Let us know how it goes.
Hard to tell from your picture but wider tires and the lowered front could sure produce some rubbing I would think. As far as bottoming, that could be a result of several things.
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